Last night, 20th April 2024, was a truly magical evening that I feel so blessed to have been a part of. I had the honour of performing as the guest soloist at the 90th anniversary concert of the Poynton Male Voice Choir, an event that marked not just a celebration of choral music, but also a reunion of long-standing friendships and musical camaraderie.
The evening held a special significance for me as Maurice Hargreaves, the Choir’s president and a dear friend whom I’ve known for over nineteen years, invited me to join in the celebrations. Maurice and I first met at the Hazel Grove Music Festival when I was just twelve years old, and it’s always a joy to reconnect with someone who has supported and believed in my journey from such a young age.
The concert itself was under the skilled musical direction of Eileen Rig, who, despite recently suffering a fall that resulted in a broken arm, led the choir with unwavering dedication and spirit. Her resilience and passion for music were palpable and served as a true inspiration to us all. Accompanying the choir and myself was the wonderfully talented Kath Buckley, whose expertise at the piano brought each piece to life with exquisite finesse.
Adding to the enchantment of the evening, I had the pleasure of wearing the stunning “Midnight Nightingale” dress created by the incredibly talented Resa McConaghy. This exquisite gown, paired with the choir’s vibrant green blazers, presented a striking visual contrast that enhanced the celebratory feel of the night. It felt truly special to perform in such a beautiful piece of art that not only complemented the aesthetic of the evening but also made me feel like a part of a beautifully orchestrated visual ensemble.
My program for the evening was a blend of operatic arias and musical theatre, reflecting my own journey through the genres of music. In the first half, I performed “Think of Me” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, Puccini’s “Quando M’En Vo” from La Bohème, and Donizetti’s “O Luce Di Quest’anima” from Linda di Chamounix – each piece a narrative of emotion and technical challenge that I relish.
The second half of the program was equally thrilling. I sang “Home” from Maury Yeston’s musical Phantom, followed by “Green Finch and Linnet Bird” from Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, and closed with Bernstein’s show-stopping “Glitter and Be Gay” from Candide. Each song allowed me to explore different facets of my vocal expression and connect with the audience in Poynton’s wonderfully receptive environment.
The response from the audience was heartwarming. The applause and cheers at the end of each set felt like a warm embrace from an old friend, affirming the night’s success and the shared love of music that brought us all together.
Performing with the Poynton Male Voice Choir again was a nostalgic and fulfilling experience. It was delightful to meet so many old friends and familiar faces with whom I’ve shared stages and songs over the years. These moments of reconnection remind me why I cherish the performing arts so deeply – they bring people together, transcending time and space through the universal language of music.
Thank you to everyone who made last night possible and so memorable. Here’s to many more musical milestones and shared successes in the future!
You look positively radiant, Charlotte! I love your gown and beautiful smile. You are an amazing woman and singer! ❤️❤️😊
Thank you John, just got back to London after a lovely weekend at my parents, they took me to the concert. The gown Resa made for me perfectly matched the choirs very smart green jackets, I only wished I’d had a photograph with all the men as they were singing they looked so smart.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You’re welcome, Charlotte! Have a wonderful new week. 💕
Thank you John, I adore these men and I love hearing male voice choirs singing in harmony. They enjoyed my program which is important to me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You glowed with happiness, while I see the choir smiling in admiration!
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Thank you GP, these men are truly the best of British tradition and it gives me so much joy to hear them singing. They care for each other, raise money for charity and I loved singing with them. Some old friends from Tideswell male voice choir and Alderley Edge festivals were there to watch so I had a fantastic evening.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Oh my goodness – you look marvellous!!
Thank you Jill, I wore my art gown that Resa made for me and felt a million dollars.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Memorable, and magical! AND you in that marvelous gown… Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Annette, it is memorable I just wish I’d asked my parents to try to grab a few photographs but it’s hard not to distract people when singing. The gown was a treat to wear and it has stretch velvet on the back so was very comfortable.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a wonderful occasion to wear Resa’s gown.
Absolutely, It was the first thing I thought when they asked me to perform that it would be a lovely opportunity to wear Midnight Nightingale.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am sure this was an evening and performance encompassing many feelings and emotions, Charlotte. Resa’s gown is wonderful, and looked like a perfect fit for both you and the setting. Indeed, music is a universal language that not only brings people together but forms lifetime connections.
Absolutely Bruce, several of the people at the concert have followed my social media updates, attended operas and concerts when I’ve been performing nearby and it was so lovely of them to think of me for their special 90th anniversary concert.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That dress is stunning! It looks perfect on you. Bravo Resa. A magical gown for a magical evening.
So comfortable as well Cindy, it has stretch velvet on the back as sometimes corset type tops can restrict rib expansion. The skirt was the perfect length too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A perfect occasion to wear Resa’s gown. 👏🏻
The greeny-blue sequins were very fitting with the green blazers of the men in the choir, but of course they allowed me to add a bit of Charlotte sparkle to the proceedings, after all who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sparkle is the name of the game…
What a wonderful event and a gorgeous gown. Do you have a recording?
Sadly I don’t have a recording, but some of the songs in the program were my favourite songs I’ve sung over the years so I might record them at our next recording session. The men loved the Donizetti which is always one of my favourites.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful, Charlotte. You’re a glowing gem, with a beautiful voice.
Thank you for your lovely message. I had a lovely weekend, I got to sing with a some of my favourite people, and had a weekend at home with my parents, spoilt with an English grill for breakfast, had a lovely walk, and the train was on time.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How wonderful, Charlotte, and stunning in Resa’s gown!
Thank you Lauren, I was so happy to have such a lovely occasion to wear Resa’s dress. The ladies in the audience couldn’t believe it when I told them it was completely hand stitched.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful!
Thank you so much Jeff.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Love seeing Resa’s dress here! What a wonderful event to wear it to. <3
Thank you Layla, sadly I didn’t get enough photographs but I had lots of lovely compliments.
Best wishes
Charlotte
As soon as I came to the page and saw the image at the top I said, “Hey, Charlotte’s wearing ‘Midnight Nightingale’!” I am glad you were able to wear it in a ‘real world” setting – I am sure Resa is ecstatic to see the photos.
Glad you had such a good night with the Poynton Male Voice Choir. I’m sure it felt great working with the familiar group and some old friends. Sounds like a great choice of popular music. I think I have heard recordings of you doing most of these, and they all sound wonderful.
Glad you had a great night 🙂
I would have worn it at Christmas but I would be too cold in the church so as soon as it warmed up I steamed it and it was perfect, very comfortable and matched the men in their green blazers. They had a very good audience and I got to chat with a lot of people I haven’t seen for years, fabulous.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Dear Charlotte,
This is just too exciting!
I’m beside myself with glee to see you in Midnight Nightingale.
Trent is right, I am ECSTATIC!
I’ve shared this on Twitter, but there is no reblog button, so I’ll figure out some kind of repost. I think I know how to do that.
Thank you… you are a Nightingale!
OH… and the performance sounds exciting. I should not forget you actually sang in a wonderful performance with the Poynton Male Voice Choir.
Thank you so much, Charlotte!!!
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The dress was magnificent to wear Resa, very comfortable, well fitted and great to breathe in with the stretch velvet. I will try to make a recording in the dress for you because I’d like you to see it in action with movement.
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Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful!
I used the stretch velvet on purpose, and I am thrilled it’s working. If it stretches out too much, or you lose weight, just take it in…again!
Anyway, I’m in a happy whirl over here. I managed to do a repost.
All the new WP features are pretty great.
Yahoo!
Best & more best,
Resa
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It is a treat to see you in Resa’s creation. I’m so glad you had such a wonderful evening.
Congratulations on your special night!! Resa’s gown looks exquisite on you.
You look beautiful and Resa’s dress is stunning, enhancing your natural beauty. Well done, oth of you!
janet
What an enchanting evening and a beautiful fairytale gown, 🙂
Congratulations and your Resa gown is gorgeous. It was made for you and looks perfect.
How lovely, Charlotte. I could feel the happiness and warmth in your words and in the photos. And Resa’s gown in stunning too. 🙂
So wonderful it is to share with those a common love of music or anything that means so much. Those blessed to have heard the performances couldn’t help but to feel the same warm embrace that you share with you comrades in expressing that gift from God.
-Alan